DAIRY TECHNOLOGY manufacturer Waikato Milking Systems will next month open the first stage of its new $12 million complex.

THE OPTIMISM about dairying fuelled by high milk prices is likely to prompt businesses to expand. While it is important that growth options are constantly evaluated, experience has taught me that new investment should only occur after careful consideration so an appropriate balance between growth and consolidation is maintained.

FONTERRA’S RECENT forecast of a record milksolids payout of $8.30 is great news for farmers.  

KEVIN CLARK as a farmer has always wanted to benchmark himself and his farming methods to see what he could do better by learning from his own experience and that of other farmers. He farms in partnership with his wife Felicity.

A SECRET agent of a different kind is making herself known to farmers worldwide and proving there’s more to life onfarm than meets the eye, says LIC.

A SEASON average somatic cell count of 75,000 would be good for any dairy farm, but for a first-year conversion it’s extraordinary, says dairy technology company Tru-Test.

THE FONTERRA BOARD'S Independent Inquiry has made 33 recommendations to address issues that led to the WPC80 precautionary recall and its responses to the event.

Investing in the relationship with farm workers can boost productivity and improve farm performance according to a visiting academic.

Summerfruit NZ is seeking grower support to continue levy funding for another six years. The Summerfruit Commodity Levy Order must be renewed every six years and was last renewed in 2008.

AUSTRALIAN DAIRY PROCESSOR Warrnambool Cheese and Butter (WCB) has supported a $390 million take-over offer from Canadian processor Saputo – just weeks after it rejected a take-over offer worth $320 million from fellow Australian company Bega Cheese.